White-bellied Sunbird

Medium-sized vanga with a white collar, a black head, and normally rufous underparts. Madagascar endemic that is primarily found in the eastern rainforest, and occasionally in western dry deciduous forest, where a white-breasted subspecies occurs. Active mid-story bird that joins flocks with other birds. Most common vocalization is a couple of quick notes followed by an explosive whistle: “chu-chow-wheeeet.” Much smaller-billed than Pollen’s Vanga. Similar to Ashy Cuckooshrike, but has buffy, or occasionally whitish, but never gray underparts. 

A large, long-tailed green parrot with an orange bill and a wing patch, red in males and yellow in females, that is visible both perched and in flight. Juvenile is like female, but lacks wing patch. Singles or small flocks can be found in a variety of wooded areas, like forests and plantations, in lowlands and mountains. Limited to a few islands in the Lesser Sundas. Distinguished from Olive-headed and Marigold Lorikeets by its larger size, its broad square tail, and its lack of a dark hood. Gives raucous, shrill screeches, high-pitched tinkling, and lower-pitched “kraak-kraaak” calls.

Although not actually pale, this brownish songbird is one of the plainer thrushes in its range. Found in areas of open woodland and scrubland; less tied to extensive forests than other thrushes, particularly in the winter, when it may often be found near reedbeds and in thickets. Sexes similar, both earthen-brown above, paler below, with grayish head, but male has darker ash-gray face, female a dingy white throat. White tail corners obvious in flight.